Tigers' Lions players honoured with caps

Rory Underwood played in six Tests on the tours to Australia in 1989 and New Zealand in 1993

Geordan Murphy, Lions Number 724, played in two Tests on the 2005 tour

Tom Croft won five caps in two tours to South Africa and Australia

Neil Back toured with the Lions in 1997, 2001 and 2005

Martin Johnson played in eight Tests in three tours, and captained the Lions in South Africa in 1997 and Australia in 2001

Tom Youngs is Lions number 788

More than 50 players with Leicester Tigers connections are among the British & Irish Lions who are being recognised for their contribution with the award of ceremonial caps.

As members of the 1888 Club, 419 living and the next of kin of 416 deceased Lions will receive a one-off, hand-stitched cap that bears the unique playing number awarded only to players who have played competitively in the iconic jersey.

Croft, who toured South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013, tweeted: “An incredible honour and memories that’ll last a lifetime!! #1888club.”

Back, who won five caps across three tours between 1997 and 2005 and is the oldest Lion to play in a Test, posted on social media: “Super proud to receive @lionsofficial #1888Lions #674 Cap #SA1997 #AUS2001 #NZ2005 ....thanks for the amazing memories.”

The recognition coincides with the 130-year anniversary of the first British & Irish Lions game against Otago in Dunedin on April 28, 1888.

Lions chairman Tom Grace, Lion #524, said: "We are recognising the contribution of all those who have crossed the touchline in a Lions jersey since 1888.

"We felt that in was in keeping with the universally recognised process of acknowledging that someone has played for an international team to formally award Lions caps for the first time."

In addition to the ceremonial cap and presentation box, the Lions or next of kin will receive a recognition letter from Grace, a copy of the team photo from their tour(s) and the latest edition of Lions Tales, the annual publication exclusive to 1888 Club members.

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